LEGENDARY rugby international Ray Gravell would have been proud of the way Wales won the Six Nations, forwards coach Robin McBryde said last night.

The former Llanelli, Wales and Lions centre died suddenly last October and a tribute was paid to him by the players before Saturday’s victory over France.

Anglesey-born McBryde told the Daily Post: “Ray was the one who would greet the players off the coach before every match and would then cheer and encourage us on from the touchline.

“On Saturday it was his daughters Gwenan and Manon who greeted us and who led the team out on to the pitch.

“Ray may no longer be with us but I’m sure he was watching over us.”

Coaching staff wore Ray’s name and number on the back of their shirts on Saturday and were seen by the huge crowd and the millions watching on television when they ran onto the pitch with water or to treat an injured player.

“On Friday Grav’s No 13 jersey was worn by all the Welsh squad as they made their final preparations.

“It was our way paying tribute,” he said.

His death last November followed just weeks after the death of Robin’s father.

John McBryde, of Brynrefail, near Caernarfon, was taken ill while exercising at a Bangor gym last June and died later in hospital.

The 61-year old was headteacher of Ysgol Cae Top, Bangor, until his retirement five years ago.

Robin added: “He would have been absolutely delighted with the way the team played this season. He would have been discussing the game and the prospects for the next match.”

McBryde, a 37-year-old former international, sat alongside Welsh head coach Warren Gatland in the Millennium Stadium throughout the season.

He was still savouring the epic victory over France yesterday as he helped wife Tina redecorate the house.

“There’s some painting work to be done, things that have been put off because of the Six Nations Championship,” he explained.

“We were lucky with injuries because our squad is relatively small but they worked hard and they earned their reward with the Grand Slam.”

As forwards coach Robin was proud of the way his section of the team powered their way through the season.

“The scrum in front of our posts with the French put-in was the turning point. If France could have scored it would have put them back in the match.

“But the pack pushed them off the ball and it was cleared. That was the turning point and I was really happy for the players at that moment,” he said.

Robin believes it was Warren Gatland’s will to win that drove Wales to Grand Slam glory.

“He’s from a winning background and it’s rubbed off on us. We’re still learning and hopefully the best is still to come.”

Robin was a member of the 2005 squad that clinched the Grand Slam under Mike Ruddock, before he was forced to hang up his boots due to injury.

Since his retirement he joined the Scarlets academy set up as a coach, before being recruited by then Wales chief Gareth Jenkins.